ISR’s survey research of the York University community include program review surveys, student retention surveys, course evaluations, staffing issues surveys, research methodology, and statistical consulting services for York University faculty members, staff and students.
York University’s Academic Innovation Fund (AIF) was established in 2010 to support initiatives that address York’s strategic priorities in relation to teaching, learning and the student experience. This fund provided financial support to over 50 unique projects focused on innovation in eLearning, Experiential Education and the First Year Student Experience. Various staff members at ISR have been involved with several AIF projects providing research and statistical assistance to project leads in evaluating the success of their projects.
Research Period: 2011-present (conducted annually)
Funding Source: York University
Project Description: Each year, the Institute surveys undergraduate and graduate students in selected programs as part of the University’s Cyclical Program Review. As mandated by the University’s Quality Assurance Procedures, each degree program is assessed on a rotating basis every eight years. Student feedback is collected on topics such as quality of teaching and the curriculum, course delivery options, and the quality of services such as advising using an online survey. In the 2014-2015 academic year, the experiences and opinions of approximately 10,000 undergraduate students and 1,500 graduate students will be gathered. Only summary results, in which any individual cannot be identified, are provided to the programs by ISR.
ISR’s Contact: Liza Mercier, Project Manager
For more information: http://yuqap.info.yorku.ca/
Research Period: 2021- present
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Poland Lai, Assistant Professor, School of Administrative Studies, York University
Project Description: In Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the implementation of numerous laws, policies and guidelines in all levels of government, but how do these affect people with disabilities? This mixed methods project will critically analyze the impact of relevant laws, policies and guidelines related to care and caregiving on the needs and rights of people with disabilities in Ontario. It seeks to incorporate the lived experience of persons with disabilities into the analysis. Parts of the research may be published (e.g., conference papers, journal articles or articles in policy magazines). The aggregate results may be used in future funding applications for a larger study.
ISR’s Contact: Richard Myles, Associate Director
Research Period: 2020- present
Principal Investigator(s): Saskia Van Viegen, Department of Languages, Literature & Linguistics; and Dana Craig, York University Libraries – Student Learning & Academic Success, York University
Funding Source: Academic Innovation Fund (AIF), York University
Project Description: Responding to the rich sociolinguistic context and internationalization of York University, this AIF funded project addresses the advanced language development of bi/multilingual international students at the undergraduate level and supports teaching and learning of core research inquiry skills and academic practices. ISR’s role in this project is to assess the effective use of mobile-enhanced platforms and responsive web designs for first-year international (ESL) students at York University.
ISR’s Contact: Stella Park, Project Manager
Funding Source: Office of the Provost & Vice President, Academic Office
Research Period: 2022-present
Project Description: ISR will provide statistical and qualitative analysis to York University’s 2022 Transportation Survey. The analysis will include the impact of COVID-19 on transportation/commuting to York University for students, faculty and staff.
ISR’s contact: Stella Park and Hugh McCague
Research Period: 2019- present
Principal Investigator(s): Robert McKeown, York University
Funding Source: Academic Innovation Fund (AIF), York University
Project Description: This AIF project aims to assess academic success and retention among first-year Mathematics for Economics course students by using the ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (PPL) System, an e-learning technology. By using online surveys and focus groups, ISR will provide research assistance with assessing the effectiveness of an adaptive online learning environment.
ISR’s Contact: Stella Park, Project Manager
Research Period: 2017 – Present
Funding Source: Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) a federal funding agency for health research in Canada
Project Description: The main goal of this project is to collect data to help determine the health status of residents and their access to primary health care services in three diverse communities (Markham, Bramalea, and Thorncliffe) in the greater Toronto area. We will conduct a telephone survey research study involving samples of the South Asian (n = 1200) and non-South Asian (n= 1200) populations in the GTA for the purpose of measuring and comparing their experiences with primary health care, their health status and life experiences. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Tamara Daly, Director of York University Centre for Aging Research & Education, and Associate Professor, York University School of Health Policy & Management.
Study Project Manager: Katherine Laxer, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow, School of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health, York University, 416-736-2100 x22075, email: ktlaxer@yorku.ca
ISR’s contact: David Northrup, Director, Survey Research, 416-736-5467 or leave a message at 1-888-847-0148, email northrup@yorku.ca
Research Period: 2017-2019
Principal Investigator: Dr. Paul Grayson, York University
Funding Source: York University, AIF Grant
Project Description: In 1963, 98% of all students entering Glendon College filled out a questionnaire in which they identified the nature of their families, their goals and so on. Four years later, in 1967, the same students completed a survey in which they talked about their experiences at Glendon, the ways in which they had changed, and their views of their future. In 2013, Dr. Grayson replicated the 1963 survey of students entering Glendon. The 2013 survey was conducted by ISR and completed by approximately 50% of those eligible to respond. In 2017, ISR will administer on behalf of Dr. Grayson essentially the same graduate survey that in 1967 was administered to students potentially eligible to graduate from Glendon. On the basis of the results of the entry and graduate surveys Dr. Grayson will be able to compare the nature and impact of the current student experience in a liberal arts environment to the nature and impact of the student experience 50 years ago. Glendon College is the only post secondary institution in Canada for which this type of comparison is possible.
ISR’s Contact: Richard Myles, Associate Director
For more information: Glendon Students, 50 Years Later
Research Period: 2016- 2018
Principal Investigator(s): David Ip Yam/ Rosanna Furgiuele
Funding Source: The Academic Innovation Fund (AIF)
Project Description: This AIF pilot project is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Glendon College’s first-year transition course that takes an integrated approach to promoting first-year student success by developing their fundamental skills, academic skills, personal/intrapersonal skills, and team-work/interpersonal skills. First-year students from Glendon College first took the transition course in September 2016, and their short and long-term experiences are examined through completion of online surveys, and in-depth interviews.
ISR’s Contact: Stella Park, Project Manager
For more information: http://aifprojects.yorku.ca/funded-phase-2/first-year-transition-course/
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